Continuous-rail frog.



Patenfd Feb. Il, I'L COLLINS.

CUNTINUDUS RAIL FROG. (Application med my 21, 1901.)

ZSheets-Sheet I.r4

(Nu Model.)

ML: N, Q m M,

.No. 692,829. Patented Feb. Il, |902.

H. R. COLLINS.

CONTINUOUS RAIL FROG.

. 4 (Application filed May 21, 1901.)

y (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

* /N VENTOR UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY RAYMOND COLLINS, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO R. PAUL STOUT, OF BETHLEI-IEM, PENN- sYLvANIA.

CONTINUOUS-.RAIL FROG.

S-PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 692,829, datedFebruary 1.1, 1902.

Application filed May 21, 190]..

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY RAvMoNDCoL` L'INS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at South Bethlehem, in the county of Northampton andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Continuous-Rail Frogs; and I do hereby declare thefoliowing to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will`en'able others .skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to railway-frogs, and more particularly to theclass known as movable rail-frogs.A

The ordinary solid and spring frogs now in common use in connection withrailwayswitches, besides often causing derail'ment of the cars by reasonof stones or other foreign bodies .becoming lodged or wedged in thechannels for the guidance of the wheel-` tlanges, are more or lessexpensive to maintain on account of the hard blows received from thewheels passing .overthem and consequent wear on the frog-points, and,further, cause heavy jarring and jolting of the rolling-stock andconsequent wear of the journals, wheel-trucks, and other running-gear.

The primary object of -my invention is to produce a simple, inexpensive,and substantial movable rail-frog for the point of intersection of therails of two or more diverging tracks, whereby a continuous or unbrokenrail bearing is provided for the Wheelsof. a car moving on either lineor trackythus overcoming the danger of derailment, obviating all jarringand jolting, and consequently reducing to a minimum the wear both of thetrack and the rolling-stock.

A further object is to provide means for connecting the frog with theswitch-operating mechanism and for moving and locking thesame inposition simultaneously withthe operation of the switch from theswitchboard or signal-tower.

vOther objects are to properly guide and limit the movements of themovable rail and lto secure perfect alinement thereof with the rail ofthe main track or line over which the cars are passing, to strengthenand reinforce said movable rail, so as to render the same stable,immovable, and free from spreading serial Nt. 61.294-, (No man.)

or bending under the pressure of the rolling"- stock, to reduce frictionand insure easy manipulation of said rail, and to improve generally ondevices ot'. this same general char# acter. f e

With these and other objects in view the invention will first behereinafter` more par* ticularly described with reference to the ac-`the switch-pointsfrom the switch-stand or signal-tower. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the frog. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is an -endelevation. v section on line V V of Fig. 3, Figs. 2 to 5,

inclusive, being taken on a larger scale than Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detailplan view showing a preferred form of locking mechanism, and Fig. 7 isasimilar view showing the same in a different position.

The letters lA and A in the drawings denote the rails ofV a main trackor railway, and

B and-B the rails of a diverging or side track.-

Fig. l5 is a vertical C denotes the movable switch-points, and D f theswitch-bar connectedto thelatter and to the lever E at the switch-standfor operating the switch,xall of which parts'may be of the `usual or anydesired construction.v

At the point of intersection of the two inner rails A and B of thediverging railways the said rails terminate a suitable an'd an equaldistance away from said point on both sidesl thereof, preferably in theusual stub ends, and a short rail-section -F of a length substantiallyequal to thedistance between the terminals of each rail A and B ispivotally supported at said point of intersection and may be moved orturned to connect the said terminals or toes of either of said rails, soas to secure a continuous or unbroken rail- Ico i bearing for the wheelsof a car passing along either track. rlhe said movable or pivotal rail Fis preferably supported upon a bedplatc G, having suitable apertures gfor the insertion of spikes or other fastenings into the railtics, andprovided with a central bore y to receive the pivot orjou rnalf of saidrail, which pivot may be secured to the under side of the rail by meansof rivets f', passing throughsuitableapertnresinthe pivot orjournal andin the lower flanges of the rail or in any desired manner. The bore g ispreferably formed in an enlarged or thickened portion or boss g2 of thebed-plate, which provides a sufficient `bearing for the journal and alsoraises the rail, which maybe further supported at its ends andintermediate portions upon suitable slides or curved projections g3 onthe top of the bed-plate, the contacting surfaces of the rail andbed-plate being thus reduced, thereby diminishing friction, preventingrobstruction frorn the accumulation of dirt or other substances, andinsuring free pivotal movement of the rail.

To prevent spreading, bending, or overturning under lateral pressurefrom the carvwheels, the rail F is preferably provided at cach side withrein forcing pieces or bars I-I, closely fitted between the head andbase or upper and lower flanges of the rail (see Fig. 5) and securelyfastened together by bolts and lock-nuts or in any suitable manner, andsaid bars or reinforcing pieces are provided at suitable intervals withoutwardly-projecting arms or slides 7L, curved from the axis or pivot ofthe rail and slidably fitted in guides or yokes I, firmly riveted orotherwise secured to the bed-plate, and it will be observed thatbesides,

the functions noted the said arms in connection with the collars oryokes I serve to anchor the movable rail to the `bed-plate and preventdisplacement or upward movement of either end thereof and also to guideand steady the said rail in its pivotal movements. The said collars orsleeves I also serve as stops or abutments for the rail, being sodisposed and of such formation as to limit the movement of the rail inexact alinement with the main rail over which the car is passino".

As a further means of securing exact alinemeut of the main rails andmovable or pivotal rail and to hold the former firmly in position theends of said main rails A and B may be supported and rigidly fastened inproper position upon the bed-plate, and preferably said rails areinserted and bolted or otherwise secured in pockets or chairs J,upstanding at each end of the bed-plate. Said pockets, which are ofsuitable shape to fit closely about the rail, (see Fig. 4,) may be castintegrally with the bed-plate, as shown, or formed separately andriveted or secured thereto iu any suitable manner.

'lo connect the frog with the switch-operating mechanism, the rail F maybe provided at one side with a lug K, to which is pivoted one member ofan adjustable or extensible rod L, (see Fig. 1,) the two members oftherod being oppositely screw-threaded at their adjacent ends andconnected by a turnbuckle 7o Z- or other suitable adjusting device. Theother end of the rod L may be connected to one arm or member of abell-crank lever M, the other arm of which is connected by means of arod O to a second bell-crank lever N,

which is in turn connected by its remaining arm to the switch-bar D, thearrangement being such that the movements of the adj ust able rod L andthe rail F are made to con form to the movements of the switch-bar and8o the switch-points C, respectively. The bellcranklevers M and N may bepivotally motilited upon plates m and n, respectively, or other supportssuitably secured to the rail-ties at the side of the main track. rail Fbeing fixed to stand normally in alinement with the rail A of the maintrack, it will be observed that whenthe switch is operated to shunt thecars to the diverging or side track The movable the said rail F willsimultaneously move into '9o alinement with the rail B of said divergingline, and when the switch is closed the said rail will be simultaneouslymoved back into the normal position.

In either closed or open position of the switch the movable rail-sectionwill of course be retained in its corresponding side-track or1nain-track position by virtue of the rigid connections between the two,or any suitable means may be employed for locking the railico section Ffrom a nearby point in either its normal position (shown in Figs. l andor its adjusted or side-track position, (shown in Fig. 7,) the switchbeing correspondingly retained in position by virtue of the aforesaidrigid connectionsasuch latter arrangement being preferable because therail is thereby held immovable, and all liability of ils being jal'redor thrown out of true alinement by rolling-stock is entirely obviated.

In Figs. 6 and '7 are illustrated a preferred means whereby the frog islocked automatically in either position into which it may be moved byoperating the switch, the connec- IIO tion between the rod O and themovable rail- I 15 section F being slightly modified to embody saidlocking devices. In the construction re ferred to the adjustable rod Lmay be dispensed with, and the connection between the said rod O and themovable rail-section F is izo preferably effected by means of twoparallel bars or rods P and Q, Inovably secured together in such mannerthat one of said bars I), which is suitably secured, as by apivotand-slot couuection,'to the bellcrank leverl 125 M, is capable of acertain amount of independent endwise motion both before and afterimparting movement tothe bar Q, which latter bar is suitably secured tothe movable railsection F or the lug K thereof, and may slide 13o insuitable guides or yokes q and q', the latter of which guides mayconsist of an opening in the web of the rail A', as indicated. The barP, which may be referred to as the the rail is in its normal position,Fig.'6', or in;

may be imparted to the bar Q after` the y bar P has moved a certaindistance in either direction, said springs serving to impart a gradualpressure from the bar P to the bar Q and permitting an independentmotion of the bar; P bothvbefore and after imparting motion tot the barQ. i j

The lock for the movable rail-section F may consist ofv a lock-pin T,which enters a suit-l ableaperture in the yoke or collar Vqfand ajregistering a erture t ort inthe bar when its adjusted or side-trackposition, Fig.V 7, re-i spectively, the said aperture'in the yoke qf andthe apertures t and 1f' beingindicated byl dotted lines. The lock-pin Tmay be 'suitably connected to abellfcrank lever U`,Vpr'ef erably to thelonger arm thereof, and 'thro'ugh` the medium of a link V, the otherorshorten` arm of said bell-'crank lever being suitablyj connected toone end of a bar or' rod W',the; other end of which'is connectedtoa'lever X,f pivotally su pported at one end, vas at w, upo'n one ofthe rail-ties or other support. Whenl the level` X is Inoved'or rockedinone direc-v tion or the other, the bell-crank'lever will 'off course becorrespondingly operated toinsert, or' withdraw the lock-pin T. Toactnate the' said lever X automatically when thejswitch,1 is operated,the free end of said lever may be formed or provided' with a suitablen`otch,`a`sf at x', which is adaptedto be engaged at a proper time by alugor teat x2 on the'bar'P,

and a second lever Y, so connected to the lever X as to move, the samein al direction op-j posite to its own motion, may 'be provided with asimilarly-notched end, as at ftj, adapted;

to be engaged at a different'periodby a second lug or teat y2, carriedby the barjP at aj point nearer the rail-section F than the lug m2. Ashere shown, thelever. Yislpivoted at an intermediate portion thereof, asat y, upon the rail-tie at a pointnearer' the frog" than the pivot ofthe lever X, being connected to said' lever X by a link Z,VconnectedA'to its shortl arm, and the free notched, endlotjsaid leverl Y iscurved or bent under thecorresponding end'oi` the lever X, so that'itwillbe 'engaged bythe'lug y2 only at the proper time; but

these details of arrangement and construe tion may, however,4 bevariously modified as found necessary or desirable under differentconditions ot' use.

The parts are preferably so Varran'f gfed'that' when the movablerail-section stands .in itsi 'parting from its scope. t y

Having thus fully described my invention,`

lnormalposition, Fig. i6, the lock-'pinT being ofcourse inserted throughiheapert'ure tithe spring S, which is nearerthe' frog, is'heldpby thelug p under a suitable compression, while the'other spring is under lessor no compres-` Ision.

Now'when the switch is operated to shunt the ca rs to the' side trackthe" rod O, rocking the bell-'crank lever M, draws'or moves the bar P,and the teat orlug m2 thereof engages and rock'sthe lever. X in 'suchmanner as to operate the bell-crank leverU to withdraw the lock-.pin T,the'm'ove'mevnts of the parts'being indicated `by dotted lines inFigpG." The motion ofthe bar P continu-v ing, the springs S both come toan equal de-` gree of compression, and by virtue ofthe bearing orabutment of the spring which is farther from the frog against tlieend ofthe bracket R the bar Q is gradually and easily mfoved luntil themovable railesection Fis in its adjusted position, Fig. 7. The'teatorlug m2 having passed'of `from the notched endzof the lever X, the'barP continues itsfmotion', compressing said farther spring, andthe tea'tor lug y? now reaches and engages the notched p end ofthejleverY,rocking the saine, Where'-v upon the lever X is'of course rocked in anopposite direction, thus operating the bellV V second aperture t ofthe'rbar Q. When the switch isolose'd `or `oper'atedfto bring themaintrack vinto useA again, Athe lug crank lever U to insert the lock-pininthe y2carries the lever Y back, serving ina manner vnow understood Vtowithdraw the lock:-

pin, and the spring :S Ynearer the frog bearing` against the bracketRagain moves the )Inovable rail-section F into its' normalV position,

Fig. 6, whereupon the lgt/2 having leftthe leverYv the lug x2 engagesthe lever X and rocks the same inthe directionV to insert the lockV-pinin the aperture t, and thereby effectually lock the`movablerail-'section F in place.V

I thus provide a very simple,'inexpensi`ve,

and efficient device' whereby the various ob.-

jections experienced withthe'ordinary spring and solid frogs nowin useare'overcomed.

a safe Aand smooth unbroken bearing maybe had for the wheels of a trainmoving along either track. It willof course be 'understood thatlan'ysuitable means maybe vemployed to establish connection between the'frog' and IOO IIO

switch, or any suitable locking means may be Y employed, and that theinvention is alsona-l pable 'of various "modiic'ations withoutdewhat'Ielaim as new, and' desire tosecureby' Letters Patent of theUnitedStates, is- 1. A Vmovable rail-frog consisting of a railsevcti'oncentrallyA pivoted between Athe termi-Q nals of 'two adjacenttrack-rails sofas to i'll the intervening gapand form a continuous lineotrailsat such point; said rail-section havin gy lateralbracing andguiding arms riga idlyseoured to'eacli side` thereof on opposite,

sides of its pivot, and guides in which said arms are slidably fitted,substantially as described.

2. A movable rail-frog consisting of a railsection centrally pivotedbetween the terminals of two adjacent track-rails so as to fill theintervening gap and form a continuous line of rails at such point; saidrail-section having lateral bracingand guiding arms rigidly secured toeach side thereof on opposite sides of its pivot, guides in which saidarms are slidably fitted, and means for shifting said rail-section so asto connect the terminals of the adjacent side-track rails intersectingsaid first-mentioned line of rails.

A movable rail-frog consisting of a railsection centrally pivotedbetween the terminals of two adjacent track-rails so as to fill theintervening gap and form a continuous line of rails at such point; saidrail-section having lateral bracing and guiding arms rigidly secured toeach side thereof on opposite sides of its pivot, guides in which saidarms are slidably fitted, means for shift-ing said rail-section,andmeans for automatically locking the same in a fixed position,substantially as described.

4. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging tracks and theswitch, the inner or intersecting rail of said tracks each terminatingat each side of the point of intersection, of the movable rail forconnecting the terminals of said intersecting rails pivotally supportedat said point of intersection, an extensible rod pivoted at one end tosaid movable rail-section and at the other end to a bell-crank lever, arod connecting said bellcrank lever with a second bell-crank lever whichis in turn connected with the switchbar, whereby said movablerail-section may be turned to effect the desired connectionsimultaneously with the operation of the switch, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging stationaryrails each terminating at each side of their point of intersection, of abed-plate having a bore at said point of intersection, a movablerail-section for connecting the terminals of either of the stationaryrails having apivot journaled in said bore, and guiding arms or slidessecured to the sides of said rail-section, guides on the bed-plate inwhich said arms are fitted, said guides also forming abutments forlimiting the movements of said rail-section to secure alinement thereofwith the stationary rails,substantially as described.

6. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging stationaryrails each terminating at each side of the point of intersection, of abed-plate having a raised portion or boss provided with a bore at saidpoint of intersection, a movable rail-section for effecting connectionwith one of said stationary rails having a pivot journaled in said bore,and circular bearings or slides formed on the bedplatc concentric withand at cach side of said pivot to support said movable rail,substantially as described.

7. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging stationaryrails terminating away from their point of intersection, of the movablerail-section pivoted at said point of intersection, anda supporttherefor, said movable rail-section having projections or slides at thesides thereof, and guides on the support in which said slides arefitted, substantially as described.

8. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging stationaryrails terminating away from their point of intersection, of the movablerail-section pivotally supported at said point of intersection andhaving at each side reinforcing-bars provided with curved arms orprojections on opposite sides of the pivot, and guides or yokes in whichsaid arms are fitted, whereby said movable rail is held in place and itsmovements properly guided, substantially as described.

9. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging stationaryrails each terminating away from their point of intersection, of' themovable rail-section pivotally supported at said point of intersectionand having arms or projections at the sides thereof, and guides for saidarms whereby the movable rail is held in place, said guides also formingstops or abutments for the rail-section so as to properly limit themovements of the same to aline with the stationary rails, substantiallyas described.

10. In a railway-frog, the combination with the diverging rails eachterminating away from the point of intersection, of the bedplate havingpockets or inclosures conforming tothe shape of the rail upstanding ateach end thereof and in each of which the end of one of said rails isfitted and bolted, a bore in said bed-plate at the point of intersectionof the rails, and a movable rail-section having a pivot journaled insaid bore, substantially as described. 1 11. In a movable railway-frog,the combination with the fixed rails, and the bed-plate having a bore,of the movable rail foi-connecting the terminals of the fixed railshaving a pivot on its under side journaled in said bore, said pivotbeing secured to said movable rail by means of rivets passingtherethrough and through the lower fianges of the rail, substantially asdescribed.

l2. In a movable railway-frog, the combination with the fixed rails, andthe bed plate or support, of the movable rail pivotally supported at thepoint of intersection of the lfixed rails, said movable rail havingsecured to its sides the reinforcement-bars provided with the curvedarms or projections, substantially as and for the purposes described.

13. In combination with the switch andthe movable rail-frog forconnecting the adjacent terminals of the main-track rail and adjacentterminals of the side-track rail, the two parallel members movablysecured together, ono

lcg

of said members being connected with the switch and one with the frog, alock for the latter member, and means for actuating said lock by theindependent movements. of the otherl member, substantially as described.

14. In combination with the switch, and the movable frog, a shift-barconnected t-o the frog, a lock therefor, an actuator-bar operativelyconnected with the switch and movably vIO connected with the shift-barso as to impart movement thereto andto have independent motion beforeand after imparting such Inovement, a lever connected with the lock soas tounloek and lock the same when rocked in opposite directions, andconnections with the actuator-bar for eecting` movement of the lever tounlock `the lock during therst independent motion of said bar, andvthelopposite movement of the lever during thesecond independent motionof said bar, substantially as described. 15. In combination with theswitch, and the movable frog, a shiftbar connected to the frog, a locktherefor, an lactuator-bar operaf tively connected with the switch andmovably connected with the shift-bar so as to impart movement .thereto`and to haveindependent motion before and after imparting 'such movement,a lock-actuating lever adapted to un-` lock when moved in one directionand to lock' when moved in the opposite direction, a second leverconnected to the said locklactuating lever in such manner as to rock thesame opposite] y to its own movement, the actuatorbar being adapted toengage the lock-actuating lever during its first independent motion, andto engage the second lever duringits second independent motion, therebyautomatically unlocking and locking the p lock` before and after theshifting of the'frog, substantially as described.

16. in Combination with 'the switch and 'the movable frog, a `shift-barAconnected tothe frog, a second bar operatively connected with the switchso as to be moved simultaneously therewith, a lock for the shift-bar,and means for actuating said lockdirectly by the other bar; one of saidbars being movably' secured to the other throughV guides carriedl {by}the latter, a lug carried by one bar between said guides and ak springinterposed between each of said guides and lug, said springsthus serv- Ying to ,impart gradual pressure rtothe shiftbar when the other bar ismoved so` asto lpermitan independent motion ofthe latter bar ing theshift-bar.

lo actuate the lock both before and-after movfin presence oftwowitnesses.

HARRY RAYMOND'COLLINS.-

.In testimony whereof I-affix my signature Y Witnesses:

